This journal will be one of my last entries as a San Francisco Giant. Yesterday, I was told by the Giants that they will not be bringing me back for the 2008 season. During the conversation with Peter McGowan I was told that my play this year far exceeded any expectations the Giants had, but that the organization decided this year would be my last season in San Francisco. Although I am disappointed, I've always said baseball is a business -- and I respect their decision. However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to you, my fans, and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago. I don't have nor do I want any ill feelings towards the organization, I just wish I had known sooner so we had more time to say our goodbyes and celebrate the best 15 years of my life.

I consider the City of San Francisco and you, the fans, my family. Thank you for loving me and supporting me throughout all the highs and lows. I feel a deep connection with you as I have grown up with all of you since the days my dad first became a Giant. The Bay Area has loved my family and friends for so many years and I thank you for that. It is now a time for change, as many athletes have experienced. It is comforting to know that those who have come before me -- Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, to name a few -- have forever remained in the hearts of the fans, as I know I will too.

During my career as a Giant, so many people made significant impressions on my life. I'd like to thank all my past and current teammates. I've had the opportunity to play with some amazingly talented ballplayers who have treated me with respect, supported me and rooted for me throughout the years. Mike Murphy, our devoted Equipment Manager, used to baby-sit me as a little boy at Candlestick Park. There are no words to describe the love and respect I have for him. Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper are the two best broadcasters in the business. Their professionalism, integrity and love for the game, puts them in a league of their own. I thank them for their support and I'm honored to call them friends. It is also important to thank all the men and women behind the scenes at the stadium who come to work every day and make it possible for us all to enjoy a day at the ballpark. I love walking to clubhouse hearing their "hellos" every day.

I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you, but there is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career. My quest for a World Series ring continues.

(That said, I think he ends up in Anaheim like he said he would a few years ago when he said he wanted to finish up in SoCal although there won't be any shortage of "Bonds to the Yankees" gossip along the way)

The Angels can do a lot better than this guy. I know they need a big bat to hit behind Guerrero, but a guy with worn-out knees like Bonds would go against everything Mike Scioscia's hit-and-run system stands for.

Garrett Anderson, notwithstanding, of course.

EDIT: Although, if by some small chance Bonds does sign with the Angels in the offseason, that'll suddenly add a whole lot of interest to the Freeway Series. Booing Barry is practically a national pasttime in itself at Dodger Stadium and I can only imagine how divided (and intense) the crowd will get during those annual Dodgers/Angels games.

Originally posted by Barry BondsMy quest for a World Series ring continues.

Pardon me while I ROFL.

First of all, will Barry even come back next season for the $6 or 8 million another team might offer? I'm not sure even the Yankees would be willing to swallow enough of the $21 million Giambi is due next year to make a deal that might clear a spot for Bonds.

If I had a successful team that was going to be in contention, would I want to introduce this guy into the mix at any price? And if I'm an also-ran, can I afford to spend $10 to 12 million on a one-shot, one-season prayer? (Peter Angelos, I'm looking at you here)

Barry's not known for swallowing his pride, but at least he could rationalize a big pay cut to go to a bona fide contender. I think it may be a lonnnnng free agent period for him.

Originally posted by Barry BondsMy quest for a World Series ring continues.

Pardon me while I ROFL.

First of all, will Barry even come back next season for the $6 or 8 million another team might offer? I'm not sure even the Yankees would be willing to swallow enough of the $21 million Giambi is due next year to make a deal that might clear a spot for Bonds.

While I am not sure they want to pay Giambi that kind of scratch, he hasnt exactly been a BAD player this last season. Better than Bonds at DH? Probably not, but, he's still a worthy player.

If Bonds is short on offers, which he could be, why wouldn't he take a Frank Thomas '06 type contract? Convert that into 2 more profitable (not necessarily productive) DH years for some team that will pay if he hits around 30 HR in 08.

While I understand that the PR would be a consideration, there's no reason to suspect that Barry's going to suddenly fall off the table. His counting stats (HR, RBI) are down this year because he's only played 125 games and the Giants are shit so there's no one getting on base in front of him. However, his rate stats are still excellent: Ridiculous .483 OBP, 1.053 OPS...any team would love to have that in a DH. Imagine if a team like the Twins brought him in...or if the Blue Jays (second in the AL in ERA; 11th in runs per game) found a way to play him and Thomas at the same time.

Not that this will come as a shock, but if a team I rooted for signed him there would be zero chance of me buying a ticket or watching a game until he was gone. I don't care if they went to the World Series, I wouldn't watch a second of it.

I would hope many other fans feel the same way, making it hard for him to find work but I'm somewhat doubtful.

Baseball Prospectus' stats say that Bonds has more VORP (value over replacement player) than any AL DH except David Ortiz, and has more VORP than all but 5 outfielders. But obviously his production is only part of the issue.

They also have a blog post where Nate Silver gives 4-1 odds that he ends up in San Diego, and 5-1 odds he ends up in Oakland.

Originally posted by wmatisticNot that this will come as a shock, but if a team I rooted for signed him there would be zero chance of me buying a ticket or watching a game until he was gone. I don't care if they went to the World Series, I wouldn't watch a second of it.

I would hope many other fans feel the same way, making it hard for him to find work but I'm somewhat doubtful.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that, judging by this statement, you probably have a TAD bit more hatred for Bonds than your average baseball fan.

Originally posted by wmatisticif a team I rooted for signed him there would be zero chance of me buying a ticket or watching a game until he was gone. I don't care if they went to the World Series

Here in Chicago, we rooted for Sammy Sosa and Dennis Rodman and Tank Johnson.

In Dallas they will root for Tank Johnson, and have rooted for Sammy Sosa, Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens.

San Fran rooted for Terrell Owens and Bonds, St. Loo for McGwire, San Diego for Merriman, New England for Rodney Harrison - and are certain that people are persecuting Bill Belichick out of pure jealousy.

Canadians rooted for Ben Johnson, Americans rooted for Marion Jones, Floyd Landis - and are certain that people are persecuting Lance Armstrong out of pure jealousy.

My point here being that while I don't doubt wmatistic individually, the record shows a long history of hometown fans having selective ethics if the game is on the line...

I don't think Bonds' ego would allow him to take a severe paycut, but then again I bet he wants 3000 hits pretty bad. As if passing all these milestones will somehow wash the stain away. Barry Bonds is Lady Macbeth.

Originally posted by wmatisticNot that this will come as a shock, but if a team I rooted for signed him there would be zero chance of me buying a ticket or watching a game until he was gone. I don't care if they went to the World Series, I wouldn't watch a second of it.

I would hope many other fans feel the same way, making it hard for him to find work but I'm somewhat doubtful.

No offence, but I'm PRETTY sure the team that you root for now has a guy using performance enhancing drugs....

Kevin Kelly: "Mr. Austin, would you like to comment on Wade Keller's Take that endorsing the XFL hurts your anti-authority character?"

Steve Austin: "Oh shit, he actually said that? I thought the boys in the back were ribbing me!"

Kelly: "No, he really said that. Did they tell you the part about you sitting in the stands, looking all skeptical?"

Originally posted by wmatisticNot that this will come as a shock, but if a team I rooted for signed him there would be zero chance of me buying a ticket or watching a game until he was gone. I don't care if they went to the World Series, I wouldn't watch a second of it.

I would hope many other fans feel the same way, making it hard for him to find work but I'm somewhat doubtful.

No offence, but I'm PRETTY sure the team that you root for now has a guy using performance enhancing drugs....

Well duh, but the difference is if caught and evidence(tons and tons of it) came to light I can at least hope they wouldn't act insulted and continue to lie, even to the detriment of one of their "friends"(how long has that trainer sat in jail for Barry now?). It's not just what you do/did, but how you behave when it's found out that really matters to me.

Originally posted by wmatisticIt's not just what you do/did, but how you behave when it's found out that really matters to me.

You mean like publicly saying you're sorry but not saying what it is that you're sorry for? Let's call a spade a spade.

- StingArmy

Nah, wasn't real happy with that one either, though it was certainly a large step above what Barry has done. I think Ankiel came closest to handling it right, though not completely. Still felt like he was hiding something but it was the most acceptable I've seen.

I don't want to hold grudges against these guys. I want to forgive them for doing something so many others did too. Just at least make an effort in giving me a reason to, that's all I ask.

Originally posted by wmatisticIt's not just what you do/did, but how you behave when it's found out that really matters to me.

You mean like publicly saying you're sorry but not saying what it is that you're sorry for? Let's call a spade a spade.

- StingArmy

Nah, wasn't real happy with that one either, though it was certainly a large step above what Barry has done. I think Ankiel came closest to handling it right, though not completely. Still felt like he was hiding something but it was the most acceptable I've seen.

I don't want to hold grudges against these guys. I want to forgive them for doing something so many others did too. Just at least make an effort in giving me a reason to, that's all I ask.

Well, I'm certainly with you. My worst fear is Bonds going to my Angels. And I will say it again that this is more about Bonds being a miserable SOB. Heck, I know the Angels play Gary Matthews Jr. so I can't really get on the high horse about steroids when it comes to my team

I also have heard that Mike Scioscia values the character of his group, and thus I don't think Bonds fits into that mentality.

I won't go as strong as to say that I will stop following the Angels completely, but I would be very upset. I would feel that the negatives outweigh the positives of ANY team having Barry Bonds.

I don't condone PETA actions, but I will talk about Petco, as someone who managed there. The top brass could care less about the animals. They want to crowd as many animals in one cage as possible. They don't provide proper medicine for sick animals.